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Home > Blogs > Sir Critic on Cinema > Archives > 2007 > August > 30 > Entry
Tom and Julia: Together at last/December movies
Our fall movie preview gift-wraps up with December’s movies.
Missed an installment? Look back at September October November
DECEMBER 7
His Dark Materials: The Golden Compass: In a parallel universe, a young girl journeys to the far North to save her best friend from powerful and secret organization. Looks to be the next truly promising fantasy franchise, with a great cast, including Nicole Kidman, and Casino Royale costars Daniel Craig and Eva Green. Outlook: A
Leatherheads: George Clooney directs himself and Renee Zellweger in a football movie that takes place in 1925. Cool. Wouldn’t it be funny if this turned out to be one of the better pigskin films? Outlook: A
DECEMBER 14
Alvin and the Chipmunks: I have already made my feelings on this movie clear. Suffice it to say I can surely stand the wait. Outlook: D (Saved from an F because Charlotte’s Web reminds me that a movie can be good despite an awful trailer. But I remain pessimistic.)
I am Legend: The world comes to an end, with Will Smith wandering alone in New York in this remake of The Omega Man. This will be a major test for director Francis Lawrence, whose only major credit to this point is the Keanu Reeves demon movie, Constantine. Outlook: B
The Perfect Christmas: A young girl turns to a department store Santa (Morris Chestnut) in the hopes that he will help find a new husband for her divorced mother (Gabrielle Union). Union is a genuine talent, so doesn’t she deserve better than a movie from the director of The Cookout? Outlook: C
DECEMBER 21
Cassandra’s Dream: Woody Allen returns to Match Point mode with a story of two brothers (Colin Farrell and Ewen MccGregor), who each turn to crime in order to prove their commitment to a woman. I loved Match Point, so that bodes well for this. Outlook: A
National Treasure: Book of Secrets: The original Treasure was a nice surprise, overcoming Da Vinci Code-lite claims with a good sense of fun. The same cast and director return, with Helen Mirren (!) joining the gang. One can only hope sequelitis does not strike. Outlook: B
PS I Love You: A widow (Hilary Swank) discovers love letters written by her recently deceased husband (Gerard Butler) that are meant to help her rebuild her life. Swank reunites with her Freedom Writers director, Richard LaGravanese, which is a good sign. Outlook: B
Sweeney Todd: Tim Burton directs a Stephen Sondheim musical with Johnny Depp, Helena Bonham Carter and Alan Rickman? Drool! Outlook: A
Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story: Judd Apatow (Knocked Up) co-wrote this Walk the Line spoof with John C. Reilly starring and with Paul Rudd playing John Lennon and Jack Black playing Paul McCartney. That’s a deliriously weird premise, which is exactly why I’m stoked. Outlook: A
DECEMBER 25 (Tuesday)
Aliens vs. Predator: Requiem: Nothing says Christmas like slime, blood, fangs a sequel no one asked for! Pass the eggnog! Oh, you mean you used it for some of the slime? Nevermind. Outlook: F
Charlie Wilson’s War: So heavy is the pedigree here that this film is topping most Oscar lists, sight unseen. No wonder, given that it stars Tom Hanks and Julia Roberts with Mike Nichols directing and Aaron Sorkin writing. Hanks plays a Texas congressman who with his CIA allies, orchestrates the arming of the Mujahedeen in Afghanistan during their war with the Soviet Union. (whistles). Phillip Seymour Hoffman, Amy Adams and Emily Blunt costar. Outlook: A
The Water Horse: Legend of the Deep: A lonely boy discovers a mysterious egg that hatches a sea creature of Scottish legend - namely, the Loch Ness Monster. From Walden Media, which also brought us Bridge to Terabithia, and the Narnia series, among others. Emily Watson stars and Jay Russell (Ladder 49) directs. Outlook: B
Sometime in December
Atonement: Keira Knightley reunites with Joe Wright, the gifted director who steered her toward an Oscar nomination with Pride & Prejudice. She plays a woman whose lover (James McAvoy) is accused of a crime he didn’t commit. Buzz is extraordinarily strong. Outlook: A
Arriving sometime this fall
Lust, Caution: Director Ang Lee follows up Brokeback Mountain with a sexually charged espionage thriller that took an NC-17 rating without a fight. Wow. Outlook: A
Reservation Road: Joaquin Phoenix, Jennifer Connelly and Mark Ruffalo try to overcome a family tragedy in a film from Terry George, who made Hotel Rwanda. With that director and cast, attention must be paid. Outlook: A
Arriving in 2008
The Bucket List: Why was Jack Nicholson bald at the Oscars this year? Because he plays a cancer patient in the new film from Rob Reiner, who has reportedly made his first good film after a very long dry spell. Morgan Freeman co-stars.
Redacted: Brian De Palma directs an Iraq war movie with a cast of unknowns. Perhaps he can get his mojo back by going back to his indie/low-key roots?
There Will Be Blood: Paul Thomas Anderson delivers a visually arresting adaptation of Upton Sinclair’s Oil. Daniel Day-Lewis leads the cast.
Youth Without Youth: Francis Ford Coppola returns to directing after a 10-year absence with a story about a man who may have found the secret to eternal youth.
And that concludes the fall preview. Comment and tell me what your top picks are, either for December or the fall as a whole. My choices: Enchanted, American Gangster, Charlie Wilson’s War, The Kingdom and No Country for Old Men.
Permalink | Comments (1) | Categories: Coming Attractions
Comments
By Allie D.
August 30, 2007 11:25 AM | Link to this
Wow! December is looking spectacular! The one I am most looking forward to is The Golden Compass, but Sweeney Todd and Charlie Wilson’s War? Not to mention the ones that don’t have a defined release date that all sound great. After spending the last half-year wondering what was going to really gear up the Awards season, it looks like we finally have our answer. lol